Screening of nutritional status and dysphagia frequency in patients with multiple sclerosis diagnosis

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease that frequently affects young adults. Globally, MS affects 50 to 300 individuals per 100,000 population. Dysphagia is common among MS patients and significantly reduces their quality of life. Additionally, it leads to both acute and chronic complications such as aspiration pneumonia, dehydration, malnutrition, and swallowing anxiety, thereby increasing both mortality and morbidity. One of the most significant complications caused by dysphagia is nutritional disorders. The aim of our study is to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and dysphagia in MS patients attending the neurology clinic at Dicle University Medical Faculty Hospital and to examine the relationship of these conditions with the patients' demographic data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients aged 18 and over, regardless of gender, who were diagnosed with MS according to the McDonald criteria, were included in the study. After obtaining informed consent from the participants and their first-degree relatives, they were asked to complete a patient identification form, the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS 2002), and the Swallowing Function Screening Test (EAT-10). Analyses were conducted using the SPSS 27.0 statistical software. RESULTS: A total of 150 MS patients were included in our study. Of the patients, 73.3% were female, 66.7% had social security through SSK, 68% were married, 36.7% were university graduates, 39.3% were housewives, and 24% were smokers. Among the primary treatments for MS, 40.7% were using Interferon Beta and 24.7% were using Teriflunomide. For secondary treatments, 50% were using Ocrelizumab and 34% were using Fingolimod. The mean age of the patients was 39.23±12.04 years, with a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 24.81±4.35, a mean EDSS score of 3.36±2.25, a mean NRS 2002 score of 0.11±0.39, and a mean EAT-10 score of 0.14±0.61. Female patients had significantly lower EDSS scores compared to male patients. Single patients had significantly lower EDSS scores compared to married patients. Smokers had significantly higher NRS 2002 scores compared to nonsmokers. Patients with spinal cord and infratentorial involvement had significantly higher EDSS scores compared to those without such involvement. Patients using Ocrelizumab had significantly higher EDSS scores compared to those not using it. Patients using Cladribine had significantly lower EDSS scores compared to those not using it. It was found that with increasing age, EDSS, EAT-10 scores, and BMI values also increased. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: In our study, the prevalence of dysphagia and malnutrition was evaluated as low among outpatient MS patients. To increase the generalizability of the findings, similar studies should be conducted in larger populations and different geographical regions. KEYWORDS: Multiple Sclerosis, NRS 2002, EAT-10, EDSS, Dysphagia